The new bar doubles as a takeout pickup station offering several local beers and tequila-based cocktails. Dining booths are located in the rear, but social distancing guidelines don’t allow for indoor seating yet.

By Denise Keniston
tw:@denisekeniston

Taco Party, Ball Square’s vegan taco restaurant located at 711 Broadway, has expanded to the space next door and is now serving alcohol and beer. Whether by luck or design, or both, owner Keith Schubert is well-positioned to benefit from a rare shift in the restaurant industry. Large swathes of eat-in restaurants are closing due to COVID-19 measures but many Mexican and vegan restaurants, well-versed in takeout culture, are surviving.

“I like thinking about possibilities and this space opened up and I was like, well, it would be nice to maybe get some alcohol sales in the mix, and have some more seating and so we just went for it,” says Schubert. “I think people are feeling like they want to eat healthier and many are experimenting with vegan and vegetarian a couple of days a week. I think that’s helping.”

Taco Party regular four-year-old Oscar Sweeney enjoys outdoor seating as he dives into his fav dish – a tofu torta. Holland Sweeney, Oscar’s mom, says “I would say he’s more of a regular than I am just by the percentage of his life he’s spent at Taco Party. We love the food!”

Walk into Taco Party’s newly expanded takeout space and bar and you can’t help but notice the light-hearted décor. Freshly decorated, it’s a dash of retro, shot of Mexican, and dab of casual diner-style. But, it’s the simple, delicious vegan taco creations that keep people coming back.

Holland Sweeney and her four-year-old son, Oscar, are regulars.  “I would, hands down, eat any taco they have,” says Sweeney. “My favorite used to be the crispy tofu taco, but these days I like the chorizo seitan taco for that little extra kick and the salsa they put on it is great.”

Taco Party regular, four-year-old Oscar Sweeney, enjoys outdoor seating as he dives into his fave dish, a tofu torta. Holland Sweeney, Oscar’s mom, says, “I would say he’s more of a regular than I am just by the percentage of his life he’s spent at Taco Party. We love the food.”

Designing a vegan taco menu takes creativity. For example, Taco Party’s flavorful Jackfruit Tinga Taco (Shredded Jackfruit cooked in spicy tomato sauce, cabbage slaw, avocado, chipotle mayo) is a favorite. Jackfruit, with the texture of pulled pork, is commonly used in vegan recipes as a meat substitute.   The Chorizo Seitan Taco (Spicy Ground Seitan, Green Cabbage, Chipotle Salsa) is a popular, spicy option. Seitan is also used as a meat substitute. Imaginative sauces, salsas, and slaws make every dish something special.

 “If people are curious about it, I tell them about it,” says Schubert. “My idea was to offer good food that happens to be vegan and then hopefully people will come and enjoy it. I prefer to let the food do the talking.”

The menu is simple and uncomplicated with six tacos, torta sandwiches, salads and

The Crispy Fried Tofu Taco and the Jackfruit Tinga Taco (seen here) are two fan favorites. Pair a PBR or White Claw and two tacos for under $15 or a Party Margarita and a torta sandwich for under $20. Taco Party consistently gets five-star ratings on social media. — Photos by Riann Keniston-Hale

nachos as well as tequila-based cocktails, local beers and a few side dishes. The price is right too. Pair a PBR or White Claw ($5!) with two tacos ($4.02 each) for under $15. Or pair a Party Margarita ($9) and a torta sandwich ($7.94) for under $20. Currently, there is no indoor seating, but you can get drinks and food to go and there’s outdoor seating on the sidewalk.

“They’re such a joy,” says Holland Sweeney of Taco Party’s atmosphere. “It’s a warm, community feel and it’s not just the food. Since they opened, we’ve been there at least once a week. In fact, Oscar and I will be going there today for lunch.”

You can reach Taco party by calling or ordering online at www.tacopartytruck.com.